Upper Structure for a Shoe

ABSTRACT

The upper structure for a shoe includes an upper body formed of stretchable material and covering at least the tiptoe of the foot of a shoe wearer. The structure further includes a toe pressing member located at a position corresponding to toes of the foot, surrounded by the upper body, and formed of non-stretchable material. The toe pressing member presses the toes of the foot from above when the toes of the foot come into contact with the backside of the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an upper structure for a shoe, and more particularly, to an improved upper structure to make a shoe wearer recognize dorsal flexion of a foot.

Generally, when people walk with bare feet they repeat dorsal flexion motion and abdominal flexion motion of the feet alternately. However, when they wear shoes, uppers and soles of the shoes restrict flexibility of the feet, impeding natural dorsal and abdominal flexion motions of the feet.

Therefore, it is said that for modern people who are used to leading lives with shoes movements of the feet and toes have been declining. One of the typical examples is a symptom called “floating toe”, in which a tip of a toe is up in the air without touching the ground.

On the other hand, aged people are not good at dorsal flexion motion and abdominal flexion motion of the feet and thus they often stumble over a difference in level to fall down. If we make such aged people recognize this particular dorsal flexion motion of the feet to activate movements of the feet and toes, it is considered that falling down during walking can be prevented. Also, for patients as well who need rehabilitation of lower limbs due to traffic accidents and so on, if we can make them recognize the particular dorsal flexion motion of the feet to activate movements of the feet and toes it is expected that function of lower limbs can be recovered.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances and its object is to provide an upper structure for a shoe that can make a shoe wearer recognize dorsal flexion motion of a foot during walking or running with the shoe to activate movement of the foot and toes without restricting dorsal flexion motion of the foot and that can consequently make the shoe wearer recover natural movements of the foot.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious and appear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An upper sole structure for a shoe according to the present invention includes an upper body and a toe pressing member. The upper body is formed of stretchable material and covers at least a tiptoe of a foot of a shoe wearer. The toe pressing member is located at a position of the upper body corresponding to toes of the foot, surrounded by the upper body, formed of non-stretchable material, and presses the toes of the foot from above when the toes of the foot comes into contact with the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot.

According to the present invention, since the upper body covering at least the tiptoe of the foot of the shoe wearer is formed of stretchable or elastic material, the upper body stretches as the tiptoe of the foot bends at the time of abdominal flexion of the foot. Thereby, the abdominal flexion motion of the foot and toes is not impeded by the upper body and thus the abdominal flexion motion of the foot can be expedited.

Also, at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, when the toes of the foot come into contact with the upper body, the toe pressing member formed of non-stretchable material presses against the toes of the foot from above. Thereby, the shoe wearer can recognize or aware that the toes of the foot have contacted the upper body and can thus realize that dorsal flexion motion of the foot has been made properly. By so doing, the shoe wearer can activate movements of the foot and toes.

Moreover, in the present invention, since the toe pressing member is surrounded by the stretchable upper body, the upper body around the toe pressing member stretches as the toes of the foot comes into contact with the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot. Thereby, the upper body does not impede movements of the foot and toes and contact time of the toes of the foot with the upper body is prolonged, thus promoting dorsal flexion motion of the foot and preventing the toe pressing member from imparting more pressure than is needed to the toes of the foot.

Here, Japanese utility model registration publication No. 04-018405 discloses a structure in which a plurality of tiptoe core members (4, 5) overlap with each other inside the tiptoe portion (2) of the upper (1) of the shoe (see FIGS. 1 and 2 of the publication).

However, in this case, since the distal end edge portions of the tiptoe core members extend to the distal end portion of the sole, the upper of the shoe around the tiptoe core members can hardly stretch as the toes of the foot come into contact with the tiptoe core members at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, and the upper thus impedes dorsal flexion motion of the foot. Also, at this juncture, the tiptoe core members impart more pressure than is needed to the toes of the foot, making a shoe wearer feel uncomfortable and a pain.

Also, Japanese utility model registration publication No. 06-049205 discloses a structure in which a tiptoe reinforcement member (5) is provided at the tiptoe portion (4) of the upper (2) of the sports shoe (1). The tiptoe reinforcement member (5) is composed of a body portion (5 a) and a reinforcing element (5 b) disposed on the body portion (5 a) (see FIGS. 1 to 5 of the publication).

However, in this case, since the distal end edge portion of the tiptoe reinforcement member (5) is coupled to the distal end of the sole (see FIG. 5), the upper of the shoe around the tiptoe reinforcement member can hardly stretch as the toes of the foot come into contact with the tiptoe portion at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, and the upper thus impedes dorsal flexion motion of the foot. Also, at this juncture, the tiptoe reinforcement member imparts more pressure than is needed to the toes of the foot, making the shoe wearer feel uncomfortable and a pain.

To the contrary, in the present invention, as above-mentioned, since the toe pressing member is surrounded or encompassed by the stretchable or elastic upper body, the upper body around the toe pressing member stretches as the toes of the foot come into contact with the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, thereby promoting dorsal flexion motion of the foot without causing the upper body to impede movements of the foot and preventing the toe pressing member from imparting more pressure than is needed to the toes of the foot.

The pressing member may be composed of a plurality of elements that are respectively disposed at positions corresponding to the respective toes of the foot. In this case, at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, when the toes of the foot come into contact with the upper body, the respective elements of the toe pressing member formed of non-stretchable material press against the respectively corresponding toes of the foot from above. Thereby, the shoe wearer can recognize or aware that the toes of the foot have contacted the upper body and can thus realize that dorsal flexion motion of the foot has been made properly. By so doing, the shoe wearer can activate movements of the foot and toes.

The plurality of elements of the toe pressing member may be coupled to each other through a connecting portion interposed between adjacent elements. In this case, since the respective elements of the toe pressing member are interconnected to each other via the connecting portion, when the toes of the foot come into contact with the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, the extent of stretch of the upper body around the respective elements of the toe pressing member can be restrained and pressure imparted from the toe pressing member to the toes of the foot can be regulated at a relatively greater value. As a result, an upper structure can be achieved that is suitable for aged people who have dull sense of toes of the feet or patients who are given rehabilitation.

The plurality of elements of the toe pressing member may be provided separately. In this case, since the respective elements of the toe pressing member are surrounded by the stretchable upper body, the upper regions of the upper body around the respective elements of the toe pressing member can stretch independent of other upper regions as the toes of the foot come into contact with the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, thereby further promoting dorsal flexion motion of the foot.

The toe pressing member may be composed of a continuous element that covers a position corresponding to each of the toes of the foot and that extends continuously along a width of the foot. In this case, as with the case in which the plurality of elements of the toe pressing member are coupled to each other through the connecting portion interposed between adjacent elements, when the toes of the foot come into contact with the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, the extent of stretch of the upper regions of the upper body around the toe pressing member can be restrained and pressure imparted from the toe pressing member to the toes of the foot can be regulated at a relatively greater value. As a result, an upper structure can be achieved that is suitable for aged people who have dull sense of toes of the feet or patients who are given rehabilitation.

The toe pressing member may be provided at a position corresponding to each distal end of the toes of the foot. In this case, at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, a shoe wearer can recognize or aware that the toes of the foot have contacted the upper body with the distal ends thereof and can thus realize that dorsal flexion motion of the foot has been made properly.

The toe pressing member may be located at a position that at least covers a distal phalanx and a head portion of a proximal phalanx of a great toe and a bottom portion of a distal phalanx and a middle phalanx of a second toe of the foot. In this case, at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, a shoe wearer can recognize or aware that the toes of the foot have contacted the upper body with the distal phalanx and the head portion of the proximal phalanx of the great toe and the bottom portion of the distal phalanx and the middle phalanx of the second toe of the foot and can thus realize that dorsal flexion motion of the foot has been made properly.

The toe pressing member may be formed of material of a greater hardness than hardness of the upper body. In this case, at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, when the toes of the foot come into contact with the upper body, the toe pressing member formed of non-stretchable material of a greater hardness presses against the toes of the foot from above. At this juncture, since the toe pressing member is relatively hard, it presses against the toes of the foot hard or strongly. Thereby, a shoe wearer can recognize or aware that the toes of the foot have contacted the upper body and can thus realize that dorsal flexion motion of the foot has been made properly. By so doing, the shoe wearer can activate movements of the foot and toes.

The toe pressing member may be formed of material of a greater stiffness than stiffness of the upper body. In this case, at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, when the toes of the foot come into contact with the upper body, the toe pressing member formed of non-stretchable material of a greater stiffness presses against the toes of the foot from above. At this juncture, since the toe pressing member hardly stretches, it presses against the toes of the foot hard or strongly. Thereby, a shoe wearer can recognize or aware that the toes of the foot have contacted the upper body and can thus realize that dorsal flexion motion of the foot has been made properly. By so doing, the shoe wearer can activate movements of the foot and toes.

The toe pressing member may be fitted to a front (or outside) surface of the upper body. Alternatively, the toe pressing member may be interposed between a front (or outside) surface and a backside (or inside) surface of the upper body. In either case, since the toe pressing member is not fitted to the backside (or inside) surface of the upper body, the toes of the foot of a shoe wearer will not come into direct contact with the toe pressing member at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot, thereby preventing the shoe wearer from feeling uncomfortable and a pain at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot and also preventing the toes from blistering.

A reinforcement member may be fitted to a distal end portion of the upper body, and the toe pressing member may be provided separately from the reinforcement member. In this case, the reinforcement member can prevent wear to the distal end portion of the upper body. At the same time, since the toe pressing member is surrounded by the stretchable upper body, the upper body around the toe pressing member can stretch as the toes of the foot come into contact with the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot. Thereby, the upper body does not impede movements of the foot and toes thus promoting dorsal flexion motion of the foot and preventing the toe pressing member from imparting more pressure than is needed to the toes of the foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention. In the drawings, which are not to scale:

FIG. 1 is a lateral side view of a shoe employing an upper structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan schematic view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating the state in which a sheet-shaped pressure sensor is attached on the foot of a subject;

FIGS. 4A to 4C are graphs showing variation of load that is measured by the pressure sensor during locomotion or walking of the subject; FIG. 4A for the case of the shoe in which an upper is formed of only natural leather; FIG. 4B for the case of the shoe in which an upper is formed of only mesh material; and FIG. 4C for the case of the shoe incorporating the upper structure of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are electromyograms of tibialis anterior muscle; FIG. 5A for the case in which the subject ran with bare feet; and FIG. 5B for the case in which the subject ran with shoes according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a lateral side view of a shoe employing an upper structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan schematic view of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 5B show an upper structure for a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, Shoe 1 includes a sole 2 and an upper 3 provided on the sole 2 to cover a foot P of a shoe wearer. A bottom portion of the upper 3 is fixedly attached to the sole 2. At a lower portion of the upper, there is provided a reinforcement member 10 extending from a heel region to a midfoot region of the shoe 1. In FIG. 1, reference number 12 designates a tongue portion and reference number 13 a shoelace.

The upper 3 is formed of stretchable material such as mesh. The upper 3 may be formed of stretchable material including elastic fiber such as spandex. Spandex is elastic synthetic fiber that is made by spinning Polyurethane dissolved in solvent.

On the front surface of the upper 3, i.e. the outside surface of the upper material, a toe pressing member 4 formed of non-stretchable material is fixedly attached at a position corresponding to each of the toes of the foot P. In this exemplification, the toe pressing member 4 is located at a position corresponding to each distal end of the toes of the foot P. Specifically, the toe pressing member 4 is formed of natural leather, synthetic leather, artificial leather, polyurethane, rubber or the like. Preferably, the toe pressing member 4 is formed of material having hardness or rigidity greater than hardness or rigidity of the upper 3.

The toe pressing member 4 is composed of five pressing parts 41-45 each located at a position corresponding to each of the toes (preferably each distal end of the toes) of the foot P and four connecting parts 40 interconnecting adjacent pressure parts.

The toe pressing member 4 is preferably located at a position that at least covers a distal phalanx DP₁ and a head portion of a proximal phalanx PP₁ of a great toe, and a bottom portion of a distal phalanx DP₂ and a middle phalanx MP₂ of a second toe of the foot P. In this exemplification, the toe pressing member 4 is further located at a position that corresponds to a distal phalanx DP₃ and a head portion of a middle phalanx MP₃ of a third toe, a head portion of a middle phalanx MP₄ and a distal phalanx DP₄ of a fourth toe, and a distal phalanx DP₅ and a middle phalanx MP₅ of a fifth toe of the foot P. In FIG. 2, DP depicts a distal phalanx, MP a middle phalanx, PP a proximal phalanx, MB a metatarsal, and MJ metatarsophalangeal joint. Subscripts 1-5 indicate a first (i.e. great) to fifth toe, respectively.

Also, the toe pressing member 4 is surrounded by the upper 3. That is, an outer circumferential edge of the toe pressing member 4 is enclosed by the ambient upper region. The toe pressing member 4 is provided discretely from the sole 2 without being coupled to the upraised portion of the sole 2 disposed at a distal end of the shoe 1.

Next, three kinds of shoe are prepared: a shoe whose upper is formed of only natural leather; another shoe whose upper is formed of only mesh; and the other shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A subject wore these three kinds of shoes respectively and a walking test was conducted on each of the shoes.

Before performing this test, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of pressure sensors 51-55 each corresponding to a first to fifth toe of the foot P are attached on the surface of the foot P of the subject. Each of the pressure sensors 51-55 has a band-shape and extends along the corresponding toe of the foot P. The subject pulled on a sock with pressure sensors attached on the foot and wore a shoe. Also, the walking test was conducted at 5 kilometers per hour and for 6 seconds.

FIGS. 4A-4C are graphs each depicting a load variation or fluctuation measured by the pressure sensors. In the drawings, FIG. A shows the shoe having the upper formed of only natural leather, FIG. 4B the shoe having the upper formed of only mesh, and FIG. 4C the shoe of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is when the foot and toes dorsiflex and the toes (and thus the pressure sensors) come into contact with a backside surface of the upper 3 that the pressure sensors detect loads. The stronger the toes press against the backside surface of the upper 3, the greater the peak values of the loads get. The longer the toes get in contact with the backside surface of the upper 3, the longer the loads act.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in the case of the shoe having the upper formed only of non-stretchable natural leather, it turned out that peak values of the loads are high but load application time (i.e. contact time of the toes) becomes short. Reasons for this may be as follows:

Upper material formed of natural leather is hard and pushes back strongly against the toes. Thereby, peak values of the loads tend to appear more readily but the state of dorsal flexion of the toes is hardly maintained because upper material hardly stretches and the toes hardly dorsiflex. Therefore, in this case, free dorsal flexion motion of the toes is restricted.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in the case of the shoe having the upper formed only of stretchable mesh, it turned out that load application time (i.e. contact time of the toes) is long but peak values of the loads becomes small. Reasons for this may be as follows:

Upper material formed of mesh is soft and the toes easily dorsiflex. Thereby, the state of dorsal flexion of the toes is easily maintained but peak values of the loads become small because upper material stretches at the time of toe-contact. Therefore, in this case, free dorsal flexion motion of the toes is allowed but the toes hardly sense dorsal flexion thereof.

As shown in FIG. 4C in the case of the shoe having the upper structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it turned out that peak values of the loads are high and load application time (i.e. contact time of the toes) is long as well. Reasons for this may be as follows:

At the time of dorsal flexion of the toes, the toes bear upon the toe pressing member 4 from the backside surface of the upper 3. At this juncture, since the toe pressing member 4 is formed of non-stretchable (or high rigidity) material, the toe pressing member 4 hardly stretches. Thereby, it turned out that the toe pressing member 4 presses against the toes (and thus the pressure sensors) and the peak values of the loads thus tend to appear readily. It also turned out that in the case of the toe pressing member 4 formed of material of greater hardness, the toe pressing member 4 is hard and pushes back strongly against the toes and the peak values of the loads thus tend to appear readily at the time of dorsal flexion of the toes.

On the other hand, since the toe pressing member 4 is enclosed by the upper 3 formed of stretchable material, when the toes bear on the toe pressing member 4 from the backside surface of the upper 3 at the time of dorsal flexion of the toes, the upper regions around the toe pressing member 4 stretch and thus the toes easily dorsiflex. Thereby, the state of dorsal flexion of the toes is easily maintained.

Consequently, in this case, the toes can readily sense dorsal flexion with free dorsal flexion motion of the toes maintained.

Then, in order to verify dorsal flexion motion of the foot and toes, we measured electromyogram (EMG) of tibialis anterior muscle of the subject during a running test. Here, tibialis anterior muscle is muscle that extends from the outside of the tibia to the inside of the instep and that acts at the time of dorsal flexion motion of the foot and the toes.

In the running test, first, an electrode was attached to a position corresponding to tibialis anterior muscle of the leg of the subject and then myogenic potential of tibialis anterior muscle of the subject during running test was measured. The running test was conducted at 10 km/hour.

FIG. 5A to 5B show electromyogram of tibialis during the running test. FIG. 5A indicates the case in which the subject ran with bare feet and FIG. 5B the case in which the subject ran with the embodiment's shoes on, respectively. In the drawings, the vertical axis depicts myogenic potential and in the horizontal axis, “0” shows ground contact point, “0.3” toe-off point and near “0.1” foot-lifted period before ground contact. Also, in the drawings, occurrence of myogenic potential indicates that tibialis anterior muscle moved.

In either case of FIGS. 5A and 53, in the phase of dorsal flexion of the foot and toes from the foot-lifted period before ground contact (near 0.1 in the horizontal axis) to the ground contact point (0 in the horizontal axis), high myogenic potential occurred and it turned out that in this phase dorsal flexion motion of the foot and toes of the subject was made.

As can be seen by comparing FIG. 5A with FIG. 5B, in the phase of dorsal flexion of the foot and toes from the foot-lifted period before ground contact (near 0.1 in the horizontal axis) to the ground contact point (0 in the horizontal axis), the value of myogenic potential in FIG. 5B (ran with the shoes on) is greater than that in FIG. 5A (ran with bare feet). Therefore, when integrating the values of myogenic potential in this dorsal flexion phase, the integrated value in FIG. 5B is greater than that in FIG. 5A. In such a manner, a greater integrated value of myogenic potential indicates that muscular movement was more active. Consequently, it turned out that when running with shoes on having the upper structure of the embodiment of the present invention movement of tibialis anterior muscle became more active than in the case of running with bare feet and dorsal flexion motion of the foot and toes was made more actively.

As mentioned above, according to the upper structure of the present embodiment, when all or any of the first to fifth toes (or the distal end portions thereof) come into contact with the backside surface of the upper 3 at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot, the toe pressing member 4 formed of non-stretchable material presses against the toes (or the distal end portions thereof) from above. Thereby, the shoe wearer can recognize that the toes of the foot came in contact with the upper 3 and realize that dorsal flexion motion of the foot was made properly. As a result, the shoe wearer can activate movements of the foot and toes.

At this juncture, in the event that the toe pressing member 4 is formed of material of greater hardness (of stiffness) than the upper 3, when the toes have come into contact with the upper at dorsal flexion of the foot, the toe pressing member 4 presses against the toes strongly from above because the toe pressing member 4 is hard (or hardly stretch). Thereby, the shoe wearer can recognize that the toes of the foot contacted the upper 3 and realize that dorsal flexion motion of the foot was made properly. As a result, the shoe wearer can activate movements of the foot and toes.

Moreover, in this case, since the outer perimeter of the toe pressing member 4 is encompassed by the stretchable upper 3, when the toes of the foot have come into contact with the upper 3 at dorsal flexion of the foot, the upper region around the toe pressing member 4 stretches. Thereby, the upper 3 does not impede dorsal flexion motion of the foot and toes and thus contact time of the toes with the upper 3 becomes longer. As a result of this, dorsal flexion motion of the foot can be promoted and the toe pressing member 4 can be prevented from imparting more pressure than is needed to the toes of the foot.

Also, in this case, since each of the press parts 41-45 composing the toe pressing member 4 are interconnected with each other through the connecting parts 40, when each of the toes comes into contact with the upper 3 at dorsal flexion of the foot, the extent of stretch of the upper region around each of the press parts 41-45 can be restrained, thus regulating pressure from the toe pressing member 4 to each toe of the foot at a greater value. As a result, the upper structure can be achieved that is suitable for aged people who have dull sense of toes of the feet or patients who are given rehabilitation.

Additionally, in this case, since the upper 3 is formed of stretchable material, at abdominal flexion of the foot as well, when the tiptoe bends, the upper 3 stretches and the upper 3 does not hinder abdominal flexion motion of the foot and toes thus promoting abdominal motion of the foot.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the above-mentioned five press parts 41-45 were provided as press parts of the toe pressing portion 4, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, as press parts, we may take any one of the following options:

i) Single one press part that is located only at a position corresponding to the great (i.e. first) toe of the foot;

ii) Two press parts that are located at positions corresponding to the first and second toes respectively;

iii) Three press parts that are located at positions corresponding to the first to third toes respectively; and

iv) Four press parts that are located at positions corresponding to the first to fourth toes respectively.

Also, locations of the press parts are not limited to these examples.

In either case, a shoe wearer can recognize the dorsal flexion motion of the foot through the toe/toes corresponding to the position/positions that the press part/parts is/are provided.

Third Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the toe pressing portion 4 was composed of the five press parts 41-45 located respectively at positions corresponding to the toes of the foot and the connecting portions 40 interconnecting the adjacent press parts of the toe pressing portion 4, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The connecting portions 40 may be omitted and each of the press parts 41-45 may be provided discretely.

In this case, an outer perimeter of each of the press parts 41-45 of the toe pressing portion 4 is surrounded by the stretchable upper 3. Therefore, when each of the toes comes into contact with the upper 3 at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot, each upper region around each of the press parts 41-45 can stretch independently each other. As a result, dorsal flexion motion of each of the toes can be further promoted.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an upper structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

In this embodiment, a toe pressing member 4′ is formed of a continuous member of a band-shape or an arc-shape that covers a position in a band-shape or an arc-shape that corresponds to a distal end of the toes of the foot. Specifically, the toe pressing member 4′ is located at a position that covers a distal phalanx DP₁ of a great toe, a bottom portion of a distal phalanx DP₂ and a middle phalanx MP₂ of a second toe, a distal phalanx DP₃ and a head portion of a middle phalanx MP₃ of a third toe, a distal phalanx DP₄ and a head portion of a middle phalanx MP₄ of a fourth toe, and a distal phalanx DP₅ of a fifth toe of the foot P.

In this case too, as with the first embodiment, the upper 3 is formed of stretchable material, the toe pressing member 4′ is formed of non-stretchable material, and an outer perimeter of the toe pressing member 4′ is surrounded by the upper 3. Also, a reinforcement member 11 is provided at the distal end portion of the shoe 1 and it is fixedly attached to an upraised tiptoe portion of the sole 2. The toe pressing member 11 is provided discretely from the reinforcement member 11.

According to this embodiment, when the toes of the foot come into contact with the backside of the upper 3 at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot and toes, the extent of stretch of upper regions around the toe pressing member 4′ is restrained due to the band-shaped or arc-shaped continuous toe-pressing member 4′ and pressure imparted from the toe pressing member 4′ to the toes of the foot can be regulated at a greater value. Thus, the upper structure can be attained that is suitable for aged people who have dull sense of toes of the feet or patients who are given rehabilitation.

Moreover, in this embodiment, wear to the distal end portion of the upper 3 can be prevented by the reinforcement member 11. Also, since the toe pressing member 4′ is provided discretely from the reinforcement member 11 and it is encompassed by the stretchable upper 3, when the toes of the foot come into contact with the backside of the upper 3 at dorsal flexion of the foot, the upper region around the toe pressing member 4′ stretches and thus dorsal flexion motion of the foot and toes is not hindered by the upper 3. Thereby, dorsal flexion motion can be enhanced and the toe pressing member 4′ can be prevented from imparting more pressure than is needed to the toes of the foot.

Fifth Embodiment

In the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, the toe pressing member 4 and 4′ were provided on the outside surface of the upper 3, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The toe pressing member 4 and 4′ may be interposed between the outside surface and the inside surface (i.e. in interior material between the outside and inside surfaces) of the upper 3.

In this case as well, since the toe pressing member 4 and 4′ are not disposed on the backside of the upper 3, toes of the foot of a shoe wearer do not directly contact the toe pressing member 4 and 4′ at dorsal flexion of the foot, thus preventing the shoe wearer from feeling uncomfortable or a pain at dorsal flexion of the foot and also preventing the toes from blistering.

Sixth Embodiment

In the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, the upper covered the entire foot, but in the present invention, the upper has only to cover at least the tiptoe portion of the foot.

Other Application

In the first to fourth embodiments, a walking shoe was taken as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to other sports shoe.

The present invention is fitted to an upper structure for a shoe, especially to an upper structure that requires making a shoe wearer recognize dorsal flexion motion of the foot.

Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may make modifications and other embodiments employing the principles of this invention without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. The described embodiments and examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Consequently, while the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments and examples, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and the like would be apparent to those skilled in the art, yet fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. An upper structure for a shoe comprising: an upper body that is formed of stretchable material and that covers at least a tiptoe of a foot of a shoe wearer; and a toe pressing member that is located at a position of said upper body corresponding to toes of the foot, that is surrounded by said upper body, that is formed of non-stretchable material, and that presses the toes of the foot from above when the toes of the foot come into contact with said upper body at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot.
 2. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said toe pressing member is composed of a plurality of elements, each of said plurality of elements being disposed at a position corresponding to each of the toes of the foot.
 3. The upper structure according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of elements are coupled to each other through a connecting portion interposed between adjacent elements.
 4. The upper structure according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of elements are provided separately.
 5. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said toe pressing member is composed of a continuous element that covers a position corresponding to each of the toes of the foot and that extends continuously along a width of the foot.
 6. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said toe pressing member is provided at a position corresponding to each distal end of the toes of the foot.
 7. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said toe pressing member is located at a position that at least covers a distal phalanx and a head portion of a proximal phalanx of a great toe and a bottom portion of a distal phalanx and a middle phalanx of a second toe of the foot.
 8. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said toe pressing member is formed of material of a greater hardness than hardness of said upper body.
 9. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said toe pressing member is formed of material of a greater stiffness than stiffness of said upper body.
 10. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said toe pressing member is fitted to an outside surface of said upper body.
 11. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein said toe pressing member is interposed between an outside surface and an inside surface of said upper body.
 12. The upper structure according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcement member is fitted to a distal end portion of said upper body, said toe pressing member being provided separately from said reinforcement member. 